Abstract
The boundary effect model (BEM) for concrete fracture and the effects of specimens size and crack length has previously been criticized on theoretical grounds, but the experimental evidence found in the literature, when taken alone, has been too limited to judge the validity of BEM conclusively. New, separately published, comprehensive fracture experiments, which were made on specimens cast from one and the same batch concrete and featured a broad ranges of both the size and the crack length (including a zero crack length), change the situation. The optimum fit of the data by Hu and Duan's model shows major deviations from these new test results. On the other hand, the Type 1 and 2 size effect laws (SELs) and their amalgamation in the universal size effect law are found to give a far better fit of the test results. Thus, regardless of the previously expounded theoretical objections, the comparison with experimental evidence alone suffices to conclude that Hu and Duan's model is not realistic.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 480-486 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Journal of Engineering Mechanics |
Volume | 140 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2014 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Asymptotics of fracture
- Cohesive crack
- Concrete
- Scaling
- Statistics of experimental data
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Mechanics of Materials
- Mechanical Engineering